Wednesday, February 25, 2015

In
this battle between Hollywood and Broadway – Broadway wins, due to the
wonderfully over-the-top performance of Olivia Choate as the famously
over-the-top Tallulah Bankhead. Sadly, Kat Brower as Gloria Swanson lacks the style,
the look, or the hauteur needed to match her dynamic opponent. Set at New
York’s Hotel Astor in 1951, the two divas are forced to share a room as they
wait to make their entrances at a local event. The style of this wild comedy is
enhanced by Terrence Gene Taylor as a flamboyant bellhop, Danny Menendez as an
incompetent butler, and Christina Lemon as an ex-star who never stops
grand-standing. This is a show where, for once, the over-acting is delightful!

This
world premiere comedy is written and directed by acknowledged ‘Fashion Designer
to the Stars’ Octavio Carlin. As the costume designer for this show, he favored
Bankhead with a stunning two-tone gown, while dressing poor Swanson in a frumpy
red dress and an unattractive shoulder length wig. Since the film ‘Sunset Boulevard’ had just swept the
country (and the Oscars) one wishes the show had matched the onscreen Swanson
manner and voice we anticipated.

The beautiful scenic design
is by Ricardo Mora Hidalgo, with lighting by Steven Pope, and sound by
Christopher Moscatiell. The excellent onstage
portraits of the two stars were by Hugo Gocha. Producer is the
ubiquitous Mike Abramson.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Here’s another outstanding
production by DOMA of the musical that in 1970 launched the careers of composer
Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice. Its a modern Passion Play, as told by
his betrayer, Judas Iscariot, dramatizing the last days of Jesus Christ.

For
anyone who has not seen the show before, here is a first class presentation. The
story is a familiar one with the torturing and crucifixion boldly delineated
but, by making parallels to modern day atrocities such as Abu Ghraib, it speaks
to our own time as well.

This version has an outstanding cast
and multi-talented ensemble: Nate Parker’s Jesus Christ is a modern rock
star; Jeremy Saje’s Judas is a burly stevedore; Renee Cohen is a sylphlike Mary
Magdalene, and Kelly Brighton is a cunning Pontius Pilate.

Andrew Diego is
blood-curdling as Caiaphas; Venny Carranza is funny as a song-and-dance-king
Herod; Michelle Holmes doubles as cruel Annas and heartbroken Mary his Mother; Blair
Grotbeck is a stoic Peter, and Graham Kurtz is an earnest Simon the Zealot .

Thursday, February 12, 2015

The conflict between father and son is the main
focus of this rather overwrought family drama by Canadian playwrightDavid French. Father flies into rages at the
drop of a hat while Mother tries vainly to keep peace.

It’s the classic tale of
a hard working immigrant father trying to dominate his college bound eldest son, with
confrontations coming fast and thick. Then, bordering on farce, there were the vulgar
neighbors who dropped in. Only the young people managed to bring the play to a
recognizable human level.

Under Barbara
Tarbuck’s vigorous direction, Chris Mulkey as Dad goes from sentimental to savage
in seconds, while Karen Landry as Mom speeds from worried to flirtatious to
plaintive. Mary Carrig is an oversexed matron and Chip Bolcik her silent
boyfriend with hidden assets. Kayde McMullen as the eldest son displays a
dignified maturity, James Lastovic as his younger brother is genuinely sincere,
and Sierra Barter is moving as a pregnant girlfriend.

Unfortunately, without a
program note informing us where or when to place the action, one assumed this
was an Irish couple with American children sometime in the 1960’s. Only later
research revealed it was Toronto, Canada and the accents were resettled Newfoundlanders
which would explain the source of the fathers anguish.

The realistic family set is by Cliff Wagner, with lighting
by Mike Reilly and costumes by Sarah Figoten Wilson.

At Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, through March 14.

About Me

Born in UK, started in theater as actress on Broadway then playwright/director in UK & the USA, Broadway Critic for The Hollywood Reporter in the 1980s. Artistic director at theatres in NY and Hollywood. Wrote musicals with ASCAP composer-lyricist husband, Ralph Martell, all produced in NY & California. For 10 years directed outdoor Shakespeare in Manhattan through NY Dept Cultural Affairs. Play HARRIET TUBMAN HERSELF starring Christine Dixon, now in its 9th year. Contest winner for plays in Okla, W, Virginia & Texas. Books CLASSICS 4 KIDS and SHAKESPEARE IN AN HOUR published by Shakespeare, Inc. AWARDS: National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) playwriting grant; 5 grants for children's musicals and 8 NY/DCA for Shakespeare productions. Member DGA, AEA & LA Press Club. Lectures on "The Impact of Yiddish Theatre on American Theatre." Co-founder NY Women in Film & TV. Monthly theater column in NOT BORN YESTERDAY California senior paper. Email: dramatist2006@yahoo.com